Posted on Jul 12, 2014
When someone tells you "good job guys", is that offensive to you?
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Yesterday I was corrected by a SFC (EOA) when he heard me say "Good job guys" I was speaking to both male and female.
His comments were I should have said good job guys and girls. Your thoughts.
His comments were I should have said good job guys and girls. Your thoughts.
Posted in these groups: 
EO
EO
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 53
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How about we all just grow up and stop being so thin skinned over every little thing??
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CH (CPT) Heather Davis
MSGT Holt:
In 2017. our forces will be about 60 percent millennial and I see a huge transition and what was appropriate in the 80's does not fly in 2014.
In 2017. our forces will be about 60 percent millennial and I see a huge transition and what was appropriate in the 80's does not fly in 2014.
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MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P
That was kinda my point, Ma'am. The new(er) generation are being raised to be hyper-sensitive and to be offended by everything. I see that in the civilian workforce as well. Us "Old Timers" tend to be thicker skinned, less excitable, and more accepting of different view points as a general rule. There will always be exceptions however.
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CH (CPT) Heather Davis
MSG Holt:
I understand I was 17, and came in 1984, and believe me I went through adjustments, and it amazes me how I get the EO speech when many times I am the only female. I have adjusted and now I will have to re-examine and see how I can align up with this current generation if I am to stay in another 13 years.
I understand I was 17, and came in 1984, and believe me I went through adjustments, and it amazes me how I get the EO speech when many times I am the only female. I have adjusted and now I will have to re-examine and see how I can align up with this current generation if I am to stay in another 13 years.
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Ma'am,
Guys is pretty gender-neutral. Shouldn't be an issue with it and if there is, I'd ask what the issue is.
Guys is pretty gender-neutral. Shouldn't be an issue with it and if there is, I'd ask what the issue is.
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As stated in Merriam Webster.
b : person —used in plural to refer to the members of a group regardless of sex
There is English and then there is Army English. Nonetheless, I think team is a better term anyway.
Good talk.
b : person —used in plural to refer to the members of a group regardless of sex
There is English and then there is Army English. Nonetheless, I think team is a better term anyway.
Good talk.
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I graciously thank all of you for your feedback and my prayers are for all of you. I have learned so much this week, and yes I will correct my language.
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SFC Lamont Womack
Ma'am it sounds like the EOA meant well but he went about addressing you the wrong way. I agree there should have been no emotion involved when he was making his point.
I also did not know saying "guys" could be viewed as exclusionary language until I attended the Equal Opportunity Representative Course back in 2005. I haven't used the term addressing a group of mixed genders since unless I am actually talking to all males. I personally believe since the Army says I'm not supposed to use that term when addressing a group of male and females I don't. I don't rationalize why its okay. If other people choose to do that it is their is choice. However, I rather not put myself in any situation where I could possible offend someone; especially if I can use numerous words that are not exclusionary.
I also did not know saying "guys" could be viewed as exclusionary language until I attended the Equal Opportunity Representative Course back in 2005. I haven't used the term addressing a group of mixed genders since unless I am actually talking to all males. I personally believe since the Army says I'm not supposed to use that term when addressing a group of male and females I don't. I don't rationalize why its okay. If other people choose to do that it is their is choice. However, I rather not put myself in any situation where I could possible offend someone; especially if I can use numerous words that are not exclusionary.
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CH (CPT) Heather Davis
SSG Smith:
Absolutely not, I have 22 years enlisted, and I encourage, and praise and lift up my enlisted. I highly recommend all of you to know your regulations.
Absolutely not, I have 22 years enlisted, and I encourage, and praise and lift up my enlisted. I highly recommend all of you to know your regulations.
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CPL J Sannizzaro
It amazes me that this can be such an issue. I can't even remember all the terms used to address me and fellow soldiers around me. If they are that sensitive to being called by a wrong gender ( most people I know mix up their own loved ones names at some point) then what do they do when a enemy tank is closing in, or when receiving small arms fire. Some things are issues. Some are not, call me whatever the hell you want just do your job. This is almost as laughable as when I found out about stress cards in boot. Lol
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Heck no. I wasn't even thinking about the "guys" part of it. Not offensive (to me) in the least! Haha...in some folk's view, though, "good job guys and GIRLS" would actually be kinda awkward.
The word "guys" has never registered on my radar as sexist. CH (CPT) Heather Davis, outstanding for acknowledging a job well done, Ma'am!
The word "guys" has never registered on my radar as sexist. CH (CPT) Heather Davis, outstanding for acknowledging a job well done, Ma'am!
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SSG (Join to see)
I don't find it offensive. I actually enjoy hearing it, but I do notice that some people say it just so they can sleep good at night. They don't actually mean it. If they just want to give me and my brothers and sisters in arms lip service just so they can have their warm and fuzzy......I don't have time for them and they should just keep walking.
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I think someone needs to get a life.... Just another example of PC running rampant without a shred of common sense.
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I'm being considered for a command opportunity. This topic, as well as some of the SARC issues - ie, a push to reduce the role of due process, as well as some policy directives that imply "freedom of religious expression" does not extend to "freedom of conscious" are worrying to me. What I have noticed over the course of my career, is that by the time civilian society gets around to questioning the latest received wisdom on certain topics, including business management fads, is the time when the military goes whole hog on them (in particular, I'm referencing articles, from both the left end and right end of the spectrum, that are questioning the "one in five" campus sexual assault statistic), but if such was done right now in DoD, I have a feeling you'd be run out on a rail. There is way, way too much group think on these topics right now, and it's across all ranks, all service components. There is far too much taking the word of academia and the media at face value, rather than using it in its proper role, which is to research, question, and debate, and not push received wisdom on field commanders and their staffs like it's pure dogma.
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CPO (Join to see)
thank you, sir. That echoes many of the same arguments/discussions I have had. well stated, good luck in your command tour, sounds like you will have a great command climate.
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CH (CPT) Heather Davis, I was raised in the south most of my life. I reckon "y'all" ain't as gender biased as "you guys". SFC needs to take a chill pill with some Luzianne sweet tea. Darn them Yankees!
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SSgt (Join to see)
I grew up in Pa n we said y'all haha I swear Pa should have been a confederate state yeeyee!
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Some people just love to stir up trivial stuff, no? Good job guys sounds just fine to me. If you were to say "good job boys and girls", I immediately think of someone treating people like kids who just cleaned up their room. I really don't understand the logic of some people...
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CH (CPT) Heather Davis
2LT Grissam:
I will share with you know your regulations, and it you do not make sure you surround yourself with those that do. I have down loaded the regulations, and I will ensure I stay in guidelines.
I will share with you know your regulations, and it you do not make sure you surround yourself with those that do. I have down loaded the regulations, and I will ensure I stay in guidelines.
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CPL J Sannizzaro
CPT Davis, we as humans are not machines. Do your best, if you have to deal with issues you have to when some arm chair quarterback thinks their way better than yours. Leaders make mistakes, learning from them does not mean never making them again. Take the slap on the wrist whatever. And continue to be CPT Davis, lead!
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In my honest opinion ma'am that is just dumb. All the time I use the word "guys" when addressing a group of soldiers and have never had one issue with female soldiers coming up to me telling me they were offended. And on the flip side I've been in a group where we were all addressed as "guys" and I never felt offended by it. It may just be my opinion but I have to say that's just going a little overboard by the EO rep in your circumstance.
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CH (CPT) Heather Davis
2LT Carlino:
Thank you for your support, however, rule of thumb never argue with an NCO. It is imperative you maintain Military bearing at all times. Pull your Senior NCO, and ask for his or her insight. Take this as a lessons learned, and I definitely have a copy of the regulation.
It is imperative as Leaders, we change and take correction. The last thing I want to do as the Chaplain, is to cause a misunderstanding. I should have just said thank you for the update.
Thank you for your support, however, rule of thumb never argue with an NCO. It is imperative you maintain Military bearing at all times. Pull your Senior NCO, and ask for his or her insight. Take this as a lessons learned, and I definitely have a copy of the regulation.
It is imperative as Leaders, we change and take correction. The last thing I want to do as the Chaplain, is to cause a misunderstanding. I should have just said thank you for the update.
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MAJ Derrick J.
Change and correction is one thing, but nonsensical anti-common sense is not something to give ground to, at least in principle.
Good grief - are people really that butt-hurt by mere words?
Good grief - are people really that butt-hurt by mere words?
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1LT (Join to see)
CH (CPT) Heather Davis you are absolutely correct and if I were in the situation that you were in I would probably act in the same manner. I just find it ridiculous that we are at the point where this is even necessary. But I do understand that the EO rep was just doing his job and that you or any other service member must heed to their advice.
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